Giant tennis balls mark Australian Open 2015 launch

To mark the launch of the 2015 Australian Open, giant tennis balls appeared across the Melbourne CBD yesterday (7th October), with tickets now available for the event at Melbourne Park, which runs from Monday 19th January 2015.

The arrival of the bright yellow balls kick-starts the countdown to the first Grand Slam of the year, with tennis fans encouraged to post selfies with the giant tennis balls or the Australian Open tram on Instagram and Twitter, with 100 ground passes on offer to the best entries using @AustralianOpen and/or #GetCourtUp.

Initiatives for Australian Open 2015 include:

• A 10% increase in player prize money
• A winner’s cheque of $3 million 
• 9,600 seats in Hisense Arena now available to ground pass holders
• A special Rafael Nadal charity event at Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday 14th January
• Margaret Court Arena (7,500 seats) ticketed for day and night sessions for the first eight days of the tournament
• A 'People's Court' to give fans an authentic Australian Open playing experience.

Dubbed "the Happy Slam" by players, the tournament now offers three-retractable roof stadiums with the refurbished Margaret Court Arena now complete.

Speaking at the Australian Open launch, Tennis Australia Chief Executive Craig Tiley stated "we are determined to continually push ourselves to new heights in terms of facilities, service and the overall experience for players and fans.

"We want to make the Happy Slam even happier."

26th August 2014 - MELBOURNE TO OFFER A PACKED PROGRAM OF SUMMER EVENTS

23rd July 2014 - THIRD RETRACTABLE ROOF OPERATIONAL AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN VENUE